Attitudes towards Science Learning among 10th-Grade Students: A qualitative look

International Journal of Science Education

Volume 33, Issue 9, First published 2011, Pages 1219 - 1243

Authors: Lena Raved^a; Orit Ben Zvi Assaraf^a

DOI: 10.1080/09500693.2010.508503 

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Abstract

The twenty-first century is characterized by multiple, frequent and remarkable scientific advancements, which have a major effect on the decisions that govern everyday life. It is therefore vital to give proper comprehensive scientific education to the population and provide it with the right tools for decision-making. This in turn requires that we foster a positive attitude among students towards science studies and encourage them to choose sciences as their major subjects. The following study examines 10th-grade high school students in an attempt to understand and document the influential factors underlying their attitudes towards science studies. The study is conducted through a qualitative research methodology, gathering data based on interviews. This methodology exposes the students' feelings, views and beliefs, and explores the characteristics of the factors influencing students' attitudes. Of these factors, we found the most significant for high school students to be interpersonal interaction between teacher and student, the relevance and authenticity of the topics being studied, and the diversity of the teaching methods. We therefore suggest that these three elements should be given particular emphasis by teachers and teacher educators.

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